Solar Installation Steps

Solar Installation Overview

Installing a solar system on your home is easier than ever. Most professional solar energy installers handle all the details for you including the installation itself as well as all the paperwork required to apply for all rebates, building permits and inspections. Although the process may vary slightly by location, there are 9 key steps to installing a solar system:

Step 1: You request a free solar consultation

Step 2: You decide if solar is right for you

Step 3: You choose a professional solar installer

Step 4: You or the solar installer conducts a simple home energy audit

Step 5: The solar installer completes all paperwork including your rebates and incentives

Step 6: The solar installer installs your solar system

Step 7: The solar installer sets up any required inspections

Step 8: The solar installer turns on your system

Step 9: You claim your rebates and incentives

Step 1: Request a Free Solar Consultation

The first step in the process is to request a free solar consultation. You can learn a lot about solar by reading information on the web (like you are doing right now) but many questions are tough to answer without professional experience. For instance, a solar professional can tell you immediately if your roof is suitable for a solar system by using satellite imagery. They can also give you immediate cost and benefit estimates, as well as outline the applicable rebates and incentives. A free 15 minute solar consultation over the phone is the best way to start the process of considering solar. You can request a free solar consultation from one of our preferred partners.

MyEnergySolution knows how important it is to work with only the best service providers, and we have done the hard work for you. Our goal is to connect you with the best clean energy providers in your area when you request a consultation. Rest assured, all of our providers have been pre-screened across a number of criteria to ensure you are speaking with the best-in-class industry professionals. We take into account several factors when we select our local experts:

Quality: industry certified and professionally trained

Experience: leading companies having a robust track record of installations

Step 2: Decide if Solar is Right for You

After speaking with professional solar installers in your area, you should be armed with all the benefits and costs associated with a solar system. The decision is now in your hands. Most homeowners understand that a solar system can save a lot of money (in many cases – thousands of dollars a year) but they need to balance the up-front costs for solar. The good news is that almost all installers offer financing and leasing options that are incredibly attractive.

Step 3: Choose a Professional Solar Installer

Once you’ve decided that you want to invest in a solar system, you should choose a reputable solar installer. All of our solar partners are licensed contractors in accordance with the rules and regulations of the states they service. For example, in the State of California, all our providers have an active A, B, C-10 or C-46 license for photovoltaic systems per the rules and regulations of the California Contractors State Licensing Board (CSLB). Always ask for references and pick installers that have at least 100 annual installations.

Again, we hope you take advantage of our highly qualified network of experts to learn more about how solar power, wind power or home energy assessments can help you save money and go green. Request a free solar consultation from our preferred partners today!

Step 4: Conduct a Simple Home Energy Audit

Most states require that you conduct a simple home energy audit prior to installing a solar system. Usually, your solar installer will take care of this. The reason behind the home energy audit is to ensure that your home is relatively energy efficient prior to installing the solar system. If there are any simple fixes that can reduce your existing energy usage, you may be able to save money by installing a slightly smaller solar system.

Step 5: The Solar Installer Completes All Paperwork Including Your Rebates and Incentives

Once you have decided on a solar installer, the rest of the process is pretty much taken care of. The solar installer will start by filling out all the necessary paperwork. The amount of paperwork varies by location, but will typically include forms for rebates and incentives, building permits, agreements with your utility and so on.

Regarding the rebates and incentives, many solar installers will be able to calculate the exact amount of your rebate before installing the system. It is common for the installer to reduce the cost of your system by the rebate amount so that you don’t have to wait for the rebate.

This initial process of preparing all the paperwork and getting the permits may take 3-6 weeks.

Step 6: The Solar Installer Installs Your Solar System

Once all the paperwork is ready, the installation begins. Most solar installations are extremely straightforward and take less than 72 hours.

Step 7: The Solar Installer Sets Up Any Required Inspections

After your system is installed, there may be a couple inspections that need to occur. These usually take place by the utility company and any groups overseeing building permits. This should be handled by your solar installer.

Step 8: The Solar Installer Turns On Your System

After inspections, your system is ready to be turned on. Say bye-bye to high electric bills forever!

Step 9: Claim Your Rebates and Incentives

Most likely, your solar installer will have already reduced the cost of your system to account for the applicable rebates. Your solar installer will also give you information on how to claim your 30% federal tax credit for the system. The federal tax incentive is a simple tax form (Form 5695) and has no upper limit!

Home Energy Basics

MyEnergySolution.com is the premier free website to lower your home utility bills. Our Mission is to give you the facts, tools, and generalized advice to save energy, save money & go green at home. Informational Disclaimer: All site content including any recommendations, custom savings plans or estimated energy savings is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be professional advice. Furthermore, nothing on this site is intended to imply or infer a contract for services or otherwise between us and you in any way, nor is it intended to replace advice from a qualified energy specialist or other professional. Before implementing and/or using energy-related products in your home or business, you must always seek the advice of a qualified professional. Any custom plans or energy savings are only representative examples and your actual needs and results may vary depending on product specifications, product use, product pricing, government rebates, local utility prices, local weather and individual behavior.